Making a positive difference for
sea turtles in your area is as simple as following the five easy steps we have
outlined below.
1. Reduce the Amount of Garbage You Produce and Clean Up Trash You See On the Beach.
Sea turtles
can become tangled in plastic and trash both on the shore and in the water.
Discarded items such as fishing lines, balloons and plastic bags may also be confused
for food and eaten by sea turtles, often resulting in injury or death.
2. Be Aware of Sea Turtle Nesting Areas and Avoid Nesting and Hatching
Turtles.
Sea turtles
are cute, and therefore tempting to touch and observe – but flashlights and
people disturb turtles when they are nesting, or trying to nest, on the beach.
Make sure to give nesting areas plenty of space, and do not disturb females as
they emerge from the ocean looking for a place to nest. Also be conscious of
where nesting areas are so that you can avoid trampling the hatchlings as they
head to the water.
3. Reduce the Amount of
Chemicals You Use.
The chemicals
you use on your lawn and in your home can actually wash into the coastal waters
– killing plants and animals. It is very important to properly dispose of toxic
chemicals and, even better, find alternative products such as biodegradable
solutions.
4. Turn Out Lights Visible
From the Beach!
Sea turtle
hatchlings use light and reflections from the moon to find their way to the
water at night. Artificial lighting confuses the hatchlings and causes them to
head inland instead of out to sea – putting them in dangerous situations which
can lead to death. Artificial lights also discourage adult females from nesting
on the beach. Short of turning off your lights, you can also take measures to
shield, redirect and lower the intensity of the lights on your property.
5. Volunteer!
There
are
countless ways in which you can make a positive difference in the lives of sea
turtles. Organize a clean-up day with your friends and clear the beach of
litter, give a presentation to your neighborhood or local school on things they
can do to save sea turtles, and most importantly, talk to others about what
they can do to make sure they are not putting these important creatures in
danger.
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